Inclusive Learning - Disability

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Transcript of Inclusive Learning - Disability

The Road to Inclusive Education...What is inclusion?Provide an overall understanding of inclusionThe Warnock Report 1978Categorising and labeling individuals according to their handicap is to be abolished!The Warnock Report stressed the importance of focusing on the individual's education rather than their disability.To discuss controversial debates surrounding inclusive educationTo provide arguments for and against segregationTo identify current legislation and policies related to inclusive educationProvide a historical context of inclusive education1974 Mary Warnock became the chair of the Special Education committee which developed the Education for Handicapped Children's Act."There is a conceptual confusion surrounding what inclusion is, what it is supposed to do and for whom"(Julie Allan, 2008:1)Equal membershipSense of belonging within a community Non-discrimination Participation, collaboration and diversityDefinition of Inclusive EducationInclusion in education is concerned with breaking down barriers to learning and increasing participation for all students, treating all learners on the basis of equality and non-discriminationHow did the concept of inclusive education evolve?Medical Model - SegregationSocial Model - Integration/InclusionUNESCO SalamancaStatementIn June 1994 representatives of 92 governments and 25 international organisations formed the World Conference on Special Needs Education.They called for inclusion to be the norm.Guiding principle that mainstream schools should accommodate all children.Challenges of Inclusive EducationEconomic climateLack of physical and human resourcesPossibility of disrupting lessons and other pupils learningAttitudinal barriersLack of trainingParent's right to choose their child's schoolParental resistanceWhen is the line drawn? Who is in? Who is out?On-going debateCSIE: Reasons Against Segregated Schooling"Segregated schooling has never proved to be superior to mainstream schooling"

"There is no compelling body of evidence that segregated 'special' education have significant benefits for students"

Research shows that segregated 'special' schooling has been associated with negative experiences and negative consequences for segregated pupils.

"Retaining segregated 'special' schools is out of step with the Government's learning disability policy, valuing people..."

"Segregated schooling does not lead to inclusion."(CSIE, 2004)Current Legislation and PolicyArguments for Inclusive EducationArguments forSegregationMary Warnock:Controversial Debate

Human rightsSocial benefits Developmental benefits Appreciation of diversity Preparation for all children to be part of an inclusive societyTime & money spent on determining pupils classification More Friendships Families become more integrated in the community "For a lot of teachers inclusion is not a priority. They have to focus on getting results".

"I heard a teacher say she was not paid to "baby-sit" children who she felt were incapable of learning. She just sends them out of class with a member of support staff".

"Every child should have access to a teacher".This entitled children with disabilities the right to an education in mainstream (Dare and O’Donovan, 2002)Promoting inclusion and providing an understanding of LD/D to society.Inclusion within an educational establishments for individuals with LD/D(CSIE, 2008)(Glazzard, 2011)(Glazzard, 2011:58)Bullying by peers

Full time support needed

Resources needed

Complexity of Learning Difficulty/ Disability

Specialised Teachers1862 Lunacy Act

After the passing of the 1867 Reform Act, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Robert Lowe, remarked that the government would now "have to educate our masters." As a result of this view, the government passed the 1870 Education Act outlining education for all

1914 Elementary Education (Defective and Epileptic Children) Act. Local authorities were required to make provision for “mentally defective” children.

The Melville Committee Report (1973) provided the basic recommendation that all children are educable and should be educated

The 1978 Warnock report gave rise to integration, a practice of bringing children with special needs closer to their mainstream peers.

The term inclusion, endorsed by the 1994 Salamanca Statement was intended as a radical alternative to integration.

1990 - 2000's government policy of widening access to FE and HE

2010 Equality Act

individual or 'personal tragedy' modelviews disability as a problem a time where psychiatry, eugenics and IQ testing was popular focuses on what a disabled person cannot dolabels disabled people as 'ill' and in need of treatmentleaves people feeling powerless, without choice and dependent on otherschanges in the 1970'sdisability rights activists - Michael Oliverdisability rights movement (UPIAS)parent support groups (MENCAP)Warnock Reportaims to remove barriers to inclusionReferencesReferencesCase Study 2 - CraigCraig

is aged 16 years and has Cerebral Palsy. He needs a walker and a wheelchair to get around.

He also has complex learning difficulties, resulting in him having the mental capacity of an 8 year old.

He is currently in an ASN school but his parents feel he is not being included within mainstream society or with other children his own age.Is mainstream the right educational environment for Craig?Negative Experiences:Negative Consequences:depressionabuselack of autonomylack of choicebecome dependent on otherslack of self-esteem and statusalienationisolationsubject to bullyingIn 2005 Mary Warnock published a pamphlet which showed a change in her attitude to special needs and inclusion.

Some main points of the pamphlet were;

Inclusion in practice can lead to individuals being physically included but emotionally excluded

Small specialist school provisions are needed

Professionals should be making each individual the priority instead of what resources

Individuals with additional support need are inevitably going to be bullied in a mainstream setting, individuals are less vulnerable in specialist schools(Fitzgerald, 2008)Allan, J., 2008. Inclusion for all? [pdf] Available at: <https://dspace.stir.ac.uk/bitstream/1893/596/1/Scottish-Education-paper2007.pdf> [Accessed 13 February 2013].

CSIE., 2002. Inclusion in Education: the right to belong to the mainstream. [pdf] Available at: <http://www.csie.org.uk/resources/inc-ed-02.pdf> [Accessed 27 February 2013].